Revised Sonnet to Happy Thoughts
At times, when fair poetic winds do fail And leave me in the doldrums latitude Without a breeze to fill a sonnet’s sail, I simply save my sinking attitude By taking Shakespeare’s quill. And so I write, But still abstain from lines much brayed by mules That whine about past loves, and themes too trite, Their overuse has dulled these once sharp tools. Of joyful things I’d rather write to you. Let songs of cheerful spring and summertime Replace the wintry owls’ “Tu-whit, tu-who”— (I robbed “Love’s Labour’s Lost” to suit this rhyme). When gladness fills a poet’s heart, I'll share; Self-pity falls on ears that do not care.
Sonnet to Happy Thoughts ** original
At times, when fair poetic winds do fail And leave me in the doldrums latitude Without a breeze to fill a sonnet’s sail, I simply save my sinking attitude By taking Shakespeare’s quill. And then I write, But still abstain from lines much brayed by mules That whine about past loves, and themes so trite, Their overuse has dulled these once sharp tools. Of joyful things I’d rather write to you. Let songs of cheerful spring and summertime Replace the wintry owls’ “Tu-whit, tu-who”— (I robbed “Love’s Labour’s Lost” to suit this rhyme). When gladness fills a poet’s heart, then share; Self-pity falls on ears that do not care.
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